NBA free-agent bargains found — and those still out there

Even after roughly $1.5 billion in contracts were finalized during the first two weeks of free agency, there is still plenty of shopping for NBA teams to do.

The biggest deals of the summer almost certainly are done. Most teams have exhausted their salary-cap space for next season, so fill-out-the-roster mode has arrived.

Here’s a look at some of the bargains this summer, and bargains waiting to happen:

BARGAINS FOUND

Isaiah Thomas ($2 million, one year, Denver): It seems so long ago that Thomas was averaging 30 points and answering questions about the max contract he would be signing. But so much has happened in the past 17 months, and Thomas playing through a hip injury clearly has cost him tens of millions.

DeMarcus Cousins ($5.3 million, one year, Warriors): This could go down as the bargain of the summer, if Cousins returns to previous form and fits his enormous game into the Golden State system. When he comes back from his Achilles tendon injury, the Warriors could have five players from the 2018 All-Star Game in their starting lineup.

Jusuf Nurkic ($48 million, four years, Portland): Nurkic is one of 13 players who averaged 14.3 points and 9 boards last season. There are at least 24 centers who will be paid more than Nurkic.

Wayne Ellington ($6.3 million, one year, Miami): All Ellington did last season was make more three-pointers than any Miami player had in any season, ever.

Rajon Rondo ($9 million, one year, Lakers): LeBron James values smarts in teammates and Rondo has plenty, so the $9 million could be a pittance for Los Angeles.

BARGAINS OUT THERE

Dwyane Wade: If he returns to Miami, the sense is that it’ll be for $5 million.

Vince Carter: He’ll almost certainly get the veteran’s minimum from a good team. If the 41-year-old doesn’t score a point, he’ll still be worth the $2.4 million.

Michael Beasley: He was really good at times for a really bad New York team. Put him on a good team, and the second unit will get better.

Dirk Nowitzki: He’s “out there” on paper only. Nowitzki eventually is going back to Dallas, probably for about $5 million once again.